Ductless Mini-Split Heat Pumps
In the Lower Mainland, mini-splits are a common choice for homes heated by electric baseboards or hot-water boilers, for basement suites, additions, garages turned into living space, and for condos and townhouses where adding ducts isn’t practical.
Is a mini-split right for your home?
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Single-zone vs multi-zone
Single-zone means one outdoor unit and one indoor head. It’s the simplest and most efficient setup, ideal for an open main floor, a suite or one problem room.
Multi-zone means one outdoor unit feeding two to five or more heads. It needs less outdoor space but has to be sized carefully. A multi-zone unit that is too large for its small rooms short-cycles and wastes energy. Sometimes two single-zone systems work better than one large multi-zone, and we will tell you when that’s the case.
Choosing the indoor unit
- High wall heads are the most common and the most affordable. They are mounted high on an outside wall.
- Ceiling cassettes sit flush in the ceiling and spread air in four directions. They need ceiling space above.
- Floor consoles sit low on the wall like a radiator. They are good under windows and for heating-first rooms.
- Concealed (slim-duct) units hide in a ceiling or closet and serve one or two rooms through short duct runs.
What installation involves
- Heat-load calculation for each room, so every head is sized for its own space.
- Locations. We choose where the heads, the line-set route and the outdoor unit go. The outdoor unit sits raised off the ground, clear of downspouts, with drainage for defrost water.
- Electrical. A dedicated circuit and disconnect. We check panel capacity first.
- Line set and condensate. Refrigerant lines are run, pressure-tested, evacuated and charged. The condensate drain is routed so water never runs back into the wall.
- Commissioning. We test heating, cooling and defrost, set up the controls and show you how to use them.
Most single-zone installations take one day. Multi-zone systems usually take one to three days.
Condos and townhouses
Strata buildings usually need written approval before any outdoor unit, wall penetration or electrical change. Bylaws can limit where the outdoor unit goes (balcony, roof, or ground) and its noise level. We can provide model specifications, sound ratings and an installation plan for your strata council.
Cost and rebates
Price depends on the number of heads, line-set length, electrical work and the type of indoor unit. See the heat pump installation cost guide for typical ranges. If your home is heated by electric baseboards, a mini-split is often eligible for provincial rebates. See the BC heat pump rebate guide.
Mini-split questions
Will a mini-split heat my home in a cold snap?
Cold-climate mini-splits keep producing heat well below freezing, which covers almost every winter day in the Lower Mainland. Many homeowners keep baseboards as backup for the rare very cold night.
Are they noisy?
Indoor heads are quiet, similar to a soft fan. Outdoor units are quieter than most older air conditioners. Placement still matters, so we keep them away from bedroom windows and neighbours where possible.
How often do mini-splits need service?
Clean the washable filters every month or two. Book a professional cleaning and check once a year. Dirty heads lose capacity and can develop odours. Heat pump service.
Plan your mini-split
Send us a few photos of the rooms, your electrical panel and where the outdoor unit could go, and we’ll give you a quote. Back to heat pump services.